On November 27, 2024, Carol Dacaymat Casilla was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice. The sentencing followed Casilla's conviction for fraud and embezzlement of over $715,000 from a Spokane medical practice where she worked between 2020 and 2023. In addition to the prison term, Judge Rice ordered three years of supervised release and restitution amounting to $715,255.09.
Court documents revealed that between May 2020 and March 2023, Casilla was employed as an accountant at Spokane Dermatology Clinic (SDC). During her tenure, she exploited her position to issue company checks to herself and transfer funds electronically into her personal accounts. Some transfers were directed towards a fictitious company created by Casilla to disguise them as legitimate business expenses. Her fraudulent activities resulted in the theft of more than $715,000.
United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref commented on the case stating, “Ms. Casilla betrayed her employer’s trust and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars.” She emphasized the responsibility entrusted to accountants and financial professionals like Casilla and noted that the sentence serves as a warning against abusing such positions for personal gain. Waldref also praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Spokane Resident Agency for their investigative work in this case.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Spokane Resident Agency with Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter prosecuting on behalf of the United States.